Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Minister for Local Government and Government Business updated the Committee on changes to Government Business.

On Tuesday, there would be no Voting Time. On Wednesday, the Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee determined the organisation of business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 4 June 2014

·         Debate on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s Report on its Inquiry into Wales' role in the EU decision-making process (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Health and Social Care Committee’s Report on The work of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West) (30 mins)

Business Committee selected the following motion for debate:

Wednesday 14 May 2014

NNDM5502

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the proposal within the Welsh Government’s consultation on proposals for a Public Health Bill to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public places and places of work in Wales.

2. Notes that an estimated 2.1million adults in the UK currently use electronic cigarettes.

3. Notes that public health guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ‘Tobacco: harm-reduction approaches to smoking’ supports the use of licenced nicotine containing products to aid people in cutting down or quitting smoking.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward the evidence behind the proposals on electronic cigarettes, to provide clarity on the justification for these proposals within the Public Health Bill.

Business Committee agreed that the next individual Member debate should be on Wednesday 9 July 2014.

Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Wales Bill.

Business Managers agreed to confirm their in principle decision of 1 April to refer the LCM to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs and Finance Committees for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committees should report on the LCM by 26 June 2014 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on 1 July 2014.

Business Committee noted a paper from the government outlining key legislative activity over the forthcoming months.

Business Managers commented that they would like to see any changes to previously indicated plans communicated in future updates.

The Minister for Local Government and Government Business indicated that an update on the Access Bill would be available at the next week’s meeting.

At its meeting of 25 March, Business Managers requested a paper outlining a proposed approach to reviewing Standing Orders during the remainder of this Assembly. The paper included information on reviews already underway and some others which are pending, as well as suggesting other areas of Standing Orders that Business Managers may wish to look at over the next two years.

Business Managers noted the reviews of Standing Orders already under way and the upcoming follow-up reviews previously agreed to.

Business Manages agreed to consider the introduction of the new Standing Orders outlined in the paper and the proposed other reviews.

Business Managers agreed that there were no other areas of Standing Orders they wish to review at this stage.

Business Managers also agreed the proposed approach to the process of reviewing Standing Orders.

At its meeting of 25 March, Business Managers requested a paper on possible alternative processes for electing committee Chairs.

Business Managers agreed to take the proposals back to their groups for discussion and return to the matter after Whitsun recess.